"This is a role I've been preparing for since I was 9 years old," said Richards. "Because as a boy my favorite show was Superman and my favorite movie was Star Wars - along with other science fiction shows and movies.

"And I always wanted to fly. I'm surprised I'm not one of those kids that jumped off the roof and hurt himself. But you know, I got to fly [on this show]. As an actor and as a person this is monumental for me."